Chief says he won't serve warrant for deputy accused of racial slur

ST. FRANCISVILLE - A West Feliciana Deputy accused of using the "n" word during a traffic stop last week has a warrant out for his arrest in Avoyelles Parish. That warrant is currently active and stems from an incident after he allegedly threatened to kill a deputy in Bunkie, La.

Shane Lofton has been with the West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office for less than a year. An arrest warrant obtained by the WBRZ Investigative Unit shows it was signed by Judge Derrick Earles on September 28, 2015. However, the Bunkie Police Chief told WBRZ today he would not serve it.

"I can tell you the warrant is still active and that the warrant will be served," Judge Earles said. "If the warrant is not served, then a bench warrant will be issued for the chief of police. We will hold him in contempt of court."

The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office declined to comment about the active arrest warrant, but they referred questions to the Bunkie Police Department. A WFPSO Spokeswoman told WBRZ the warrant was not active, which Earles said is not the case.

"An order has come from my court for an arrest," Judge Earles said. "A bond has been set. It's turned over to the police department and it's up to the police department to make that arrest."

The news of the active warrant surfaced as another investigation continued into racist remarks Lofton is accused of making during a traffic stop in West Feliciana Parish. Idia Anderson and her sister Barbara filed internal affairs complaints against Lofton last week. They said Lofton tried to issue a ticket for a car being partially in the road as they searched for jumper cables to start it.

Less than 24 hours after our story aired, Lofton was placed on paid administrative leave.

The West Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Office is currently going through all of the facts and trying to conduct a thorough investigation. Until that happens, it said there would be no on-camera interviews.

"I would like to see the truth come out, and someone take some action," West Felciana Parish NAACP President Plater Gooden said.

Until something happens, residents like the Andersons said they'll continue to live in fear.

"I want to see him served, took down, taken off the police force, and he needs to be punished for his actions," Anderson said. "People don't need to live like that."

The WFPSO said the investigation could be finished next week, and more details would be released then.